By Muhammad Amaan
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said the newly approved N32.88 billion Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) has far-reaching impact on the Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Speaking at the 14th Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) meeting on Tuesday in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said the BHCPF disbursement is already translating into tangible gains at the facility level, particularly in expanding access to essential health services and strengthening frontline healthcare systems.
According to him, utilisation of primary healthcare services has increased, while early indicators point to a gradual decline in maternal mortality, driven by targeted interventions and improved financing mechanisms.
“We are seeing continued progress across multiple dimensions. More Nigerians are accessing services, maternal mortality is beginning to decline, and immunisation efforts are expanding significantly,” Pate said.
The minister also highlighted the measurable improvements in primary healthcare delivery, maternal health outcomes, and emergency services nationwide.
Prof. Pate disclosed that the government has approved the expansion of direct facility financing to an additional 5,000 healthcare centres nationwide, a move expected to deepen grassroots access and improve service delivery, especially in underserved communities.
He stated that a major highlight of the briefing was the success of the Comprehensive Emergency Maternal and Obstetric Care programme, under which over 40,000 women have received free emergency services for childbirth complications.
Pate described the initiative as life-saving, noting that it has significantly reduced the financial burden on families while improving maternal health outcomes.
“There is widespread acknowledgment that making emergency obstetric care free is impacting lives directly, ensuring critical services are both accessible and affordable for thousands of Nigerian families,” he stated.
Prof. Pate further revealed that the Federal Government’s free fistula programme has restored the health and dignity of more than 4,000 women, while plans are underway to introduce reimbursements for neonatal care to improve survival rates among newborns.
On child health, the minister highlighted Nigeria’s recent large-scale immunisation campaign, which reached over 102 million children with vaccines against measles, rubella, polio, and other preventable diseases, describing it as unprecedented.
“This represents one of the largest integrated immunisations drives in our history and reflects our commitment to preventive healthcare and safeguarding the next generation,” he added.
Addressing public health emergencies, Prof. Pate noted that Nigeria’s disease surveillance systems have been significantly strengthened, enabling early detection and containment of outbreaks such as Lassa fever, cholera, and measles.
However, he raised concerns over delayed responses at the state level, urging subnational governments to improve coordination, protect health workers, and ensure proper medical waste management during outbreaks.
“We recorded over 200 outbreak episodes in the past year, most of which were contained early. However, states must respond faster and provide stronger support to frontline workers to sustain these gains,” he cautioned.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in the utilisation of BHCPF resources.
He noted that the growing involvement of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in monitoring healthcare delivery is strengthening oversight and ensuring that funds translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
“The inclusion of civil society is critical in tracking performance at the facility level and ensuring Nigerians receive value for investments in primary healthcare,” Salako said.
The meeting also reviewed key reforms under the BHCPF 2.0 framework. Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, National Coordinator of the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), emphasised improved coordination across funding gateways, data-driven decision-making, and stronger alignment within the SWAp framework.
Presenting the memorandum, Acting Secretary of the MOC Secretariat, Dr Aishatu Abubakar Bajoga, disclosed that the N32,880,443,906.25 allocation is aimed at sustaining service delivery across healthcare facilities, particularly at the primary care level.
She added that the committee approved revised ambulance tariffs under the Emergency Medical Treatment (EMT) Gateway to strengthen emergency response systems and ensure sustainable financing of ambulance services nationwide.
The revised tariffs are also expected to encourage broader participation from both public and private providers, enhancing efficiency and responsiveness in emergency care delivery.
In addition, deliberations are ongoing to integrate private sector actors into the BHCPF framework by the second quarter of 2026, a move anticipated to boost innovation, efficiency, and service reach.
In delivering these essential services at the frontline, key institutions including the National Emergency Medical Treatment Committee (NEMTC), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), and the MOC Secretariat continue to play pivotal roles in coordinating implementation and ensuring accountability.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s health system, expanding equitable access to quality healthcare, and advancing Universal Health Coverage through sustained reforms and strategic partnerships.
The BHCPF, established under the National Health Act of 2014, remains a critical financing mechanism aimed at guaranteeing access to essential health services, particularly for Nigeria’s poor and vulnerable populations.
